Finding Worth Beyond The To-Do List
When I was growing up, I was not the most organised person. I had more detentions than any other year eight girl.
All of them were for things like forgetting homework, leaving books behind, not getting my diary signed and various versions of the same theme.
It became something I was known for and hated about myself. Over the years, it has caused me so much frustration. I have worked very hard on this area of my life, implementing routines and to-do lists. I have learned to manage my time and keep the clutter and chaos to a minimum.
Rest is Not a Reward For a Completed To-Do List
If I am over-tired, not in routine, or do things in a different order, I still have no clue where my keys are or where I put my phone. I have an incredibly demanding job, and to-do lists save me. It got to a point where I had become so militant about writing them and checking them off, it was almost unhealthy. It meant that I would only rest if my list was finished. I was using rest and downtime as a reward for finally completing my list.
It also meant my worth was tied to the completion of that list. It was a good day if I managed to get everything done. If nothing got done, I felt like that unorganised, scatterbrained child who couldn’t keep my things together. I felt like I had failed. I was none of those things, but these labels placed on me had stuck.
My Value is Not Tied to Completing My To-do List
During the last year, I have become more intentional about my work, balance, and allowing for rest. I have had to realise that my value is not in completing my list. I am the same person with a list that has nothing completed, when I can’t find my keys, as I am when I have all the boxes checked, and I know the whereabouts of my keys and phone.
There is grace for an unfinished to-do list, it’s healthy to realise we can’t do it all, all the time. Sometimes, I finish my top three most important things and smash out the whole list. Sometimes, my day goes haywire, and I achieve nothing. Regardless, I no longer tie the list to my worth, and I intentionally allow for rest no matter the state of my list.
Article supplied with thanks to Lorrene McClymont.
About the Author: Lorrene McClymont is a writer and photographer from Hope Images. On her blog ‘Moments to Rest’, she shares about rest, faith, and family.
Feature image: Canva
